BEAUTYOLOGY

Q: I have had a problem of open pores on my cheeks for 4 years now. I got it because of steaming. Can you tell me a cure for this? Please also tell me of a cream or treatment. Kushi Khan
A: Open pores are difficult to eradicate completely. Use of toners reduces the pore size. Rub a block of ice on the affected area. It helps in decreasing the pore size. The presence of oil and dirt in the pores make it more prominent. Hence, exfoliate your skin to keep these culprits at bay. Washing your face with cold water is an easy alternative. Place a towel inside the refrigerator. Place it over the area. This technique proves beneficial. Usage of toners twice a day helps. Moisturize the skin after toning. Powdered fenugreek is made into a paste with milk and applied in the morning. Leave for about 20 minutes and rinse well with cold water. Drinking a glass of warm lime juice with honey is helpful.

Q: I am 20. I have acne and scars on my face. How can I cure this? Momina Shahzad
A: While acne is a definite eyesore, it is not considered a serious health problem and it generally clears out with increasing age. Unfortunately, in a minority of cases acne is known to lead to permanent skin scarring. The best way to prevent facial scarring is to treat acne outbreaks ASAP. Treatment differs according to the type of acne scars and the skin sensitivity of the person. Removing acne scars can entail many options ranging from natural home remedies, to more aggressive forms of treatment including laser treatment and dermabrasion. One of the most obvious ways to remove acne scars is maintaining a well balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. A healthier diet will naturally help your skin to heal itself over time. Drinking plenty of water and fruit juices is also a healthy way to get rid of acne scars. It will keep your skin hydrated making it smoother in appearance and help cleanse pores naturally. You may also add freshly squeezed lemon juice to your water. The citric acid is a natural cleanser.

Q: My age is 25 years. I have acne spots on my face. Till two years ago I had acne. I consulted a dermatologist and my acne finished but the spots are still there. Please give me some remedy to get rid of the spots. Nida Raza
A: When looking at how to get rid of acne scars you will come across treatment options for acne scars that can be costly and a bit painful so it may not be your first option to remove or reduce the scars. Natural treatment would be simpler and easy option to opt first. Here is a simple remedy for you: Apply a facial mask made from tomatoes and cucumbers. This will visibly reduce the appearance of the scars and tighten the pores of the skin.

Q: I’m 18. My skin is getting duller day by day even though I stay at home all the time. Please tell me what I should do to whiten my face. Maria
A: For a beautiful personality, complexion is not important. There are many beautiful women who have dark complexion and there are many "not so beautiful" women who have fair complexion. Try mixing saffron powder with sugar and milk. Make it a paste and leave it on for 10 minutes. After it dries up, scrub it off and wash your face. The sugar acts as an exfoliate, the milk cleanses and the saffron adds a glow. You can also add curd and honey as conditioners.

Q: I am 11 years old. I have pimples on my face and lots of scars. My complexion is also dark. Please help me. Anu
A: Many teenagers suffer from acne. Usually this occurs during adolescence and will eventually resolve itself. But you have them very early so there may be other causes for your pimples. It is better to consult a doctor for this. Along with proper allopathic treatment I am describing a simple yet efficient home remedy for treating scars. Aloe vera gel applied directly on the scars will decrease their prominence through its healing properties.

Q: I am 13 years old. I have had a severe dandruff problem for at least a year now.
I have tried oiling my hair weekly and using a medicated shampoo but none of this stuff seems to work. I know that this can cause hair fall and general hair damage.
Please suggest a remedy that will get my hair back to its fullest. Anonymous
A: Dear, here is a simple home remedy for you. Boil a hand full of neem leaves in 4 teacups of water. After cooling and filtering, use for rinsing hair for dandruff. You should also massage warm oil (up to tolerance) on to the scalp well and allow it to remain for an hour. Then rub limejuice mixed with vinegar (1:2) onto the scalp and leave on for another hour for dandruff removal. The oil helps to emolliate the skin of the scalp combating dry skin, while the acidity of the limejuice and vinegar will help to strip off the oils and help reduce the prevalence of any fungus.

Q: I am 20 years old and my hair is getting white. This is worrying me. I’ll be glad if you let me know how to stop this. Sadia
A: Vitamin B and biotin deficiencies may bring about early graying of hair. If copper is lacking in your diet, it can also result in early hair graying since it is involved in hair pigmentation. A wholesome diet with nuts and fish should meet your requirements. If you have to resort to dyes it’s better to use henna or those extracted from vegetables since chemical dyes have been linked to cancer and could do you serious harm. One must remember that grooming and using styling products alone does not solve hair problems; protein, vitamin and mineral-rich diets enhance and maintain the health and luster of the hair. Massaging amla juice and lime juice into the hair is found to be effective for grey hair.